Opening Opinion 8/10
Okay so
this is an in depth review of Em’s fourth album, Encore…sadly I have a
bootlegged copy with no skits so I won’t talk about those. Encore is known as
being Em’s worst album….and in my opinon that is true. Let’s get into it….
The
album starts with “Evil Deeds”, an up tempo oddball of a song…I really like the
chorus however. Em equates heavenly father to his father who he never got the
chance to know. Interesting right? “Never Enough” features and excellent Nate
Dogg hook, and 50 Cent. I really like the song but wish it was longer. “Yellow
Brick Road” is easily one of Em’s most introspective songs period. And unlike
other songs he’s done, this one is pretty much 100% truth. Em raps about being white
and admiring black culture, and his relationship with a black woman who I’m
assuming was named Kim,(Not his ex wife) In fact he even references the “old
foolish pride girl” here.
“Like
Toy Soldiers” is another heartfelt track. The chorus is a terrific sample. The
beat is hot too. It’s about Em’s beef with Benzino and Ja Rule and how 50 Cent
dragged him in to the latter beef. “Mosh” is another one of my favorite Em
tracks…so far good album right? Yup! On this song Em takes jabs at then
President George H.W. Bush. It’s a dark and empowering track.
“Puke”
is as my high school friend put it, is the “Whitest song on the album” lol. But
I love it. It’s obviously about an ex-lover aka Kim. I love the beat actually
sounds like the “Till I Collapse” beat a little bit. The lyricism is kinda bad…it’s
almost like he wasn’t sure what to say cause he was so mad hahaha. I love at the
end he says, “Fuccn Bitch” lol.
“My 1st
Single” is basically a failed 1st single song. It’s a truly weirdo
song. It’s funny but I feel like Eminem has nothing important to say on it. He
coulda just left it off. Eminem compares himself to O.J. Simpson here….crazy
right? It’s not very good. “Rain Man” is an improvement. Its stupid af. That
beat tho. This song is homo man lol. Dr. Dre says, “Yeah” on it. The song really
proves Em was on drugs.
“Big
Weenie” is the diss track to Benzino(Look him up he was a rapper hahah). It’s
effective. Em’s flow is decent too. “Just Lose It” is the usual single song,
and its really good. He kinda takes jabs at himself on 8 mile on this track. I
love it. The beat is great too. That video tho…not feeling that. I like Michael
Jackson. “Ass Like That” is interesting. Why you say? It’s track 14, and it
sounds a lot like 50 Cent’s “Just A Lil Bit” song which was, gasp track 14 on
The Massacre album. You see this is why they pay me the big bucks! The song, “Ass
Like That” is so funny. I like the video too.
“Spend
Some Time” is an ode to diss the ladies. But its really about a failed relationship.
Obi Trice, Stat Quo, and 50 Cent aid Slim. I like the chorus, but the song is
too long, but it isn’t really skippable imo. “Mockingbird” is an ode to his daughter
Hallie. I love this song. Just listen to it. It proves Eminem is a top rated MC.
The beat is like the opposite of typical Encore beats, but I like it.
Someone
I knew said “Crazy In Love” was their favorite Em song. I looked at her in
disbelief, but hey it is a good song. The beat is so good, and that sample man!
“One Shot 2 Shot” features D-12… and ironically it is the last time they are on
a Eminem album I believe. They are really good here! The beat is infectious
too. The song is basically a telling of a shootout in the club. The final song
is the title track. It is really enjoyable. I like how Eminem says “We gon make
Dre do it” in regards to Dr. Dre releasing Detox. I.E. it never came out but hey
now we have a better album so the great Hip Hop dr. says. 50 Cent is decent
here too. The end is just stupid. “See You in hell fu**ers”
Closing Opinion:
8/10. While not up to usual Em standards. Encore is still a fun listen. You
should check it out if you never have.